New network connects Faculties with innovation and entrepreneurship resources

Canadian innovation is getting a major boost with 91亚色's exciting new initiative: The YSpace Network. The Network aims to build on the incredible momentum and success of YSpace, 91亚色's innovation hub, and further expand its capacity to support students, alumni and faculty across 91亚色's campuses, the Greater Toronto Area and around the globe. The initiative opens access to a sophisticated suite of innovation and entrepreneurship services to 91亚色鈥檚 Faculties, empowering collaboration and impact across disciplines.

"91亚色 has built something special, something that is rapidly gaining momentum when it comes to inspiring our students, alumni and faculty to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations," says Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor. "The YSpace Network will ensure we build on that momentum right across our campuses, while leveraging the expertise and communities of powerful Faculty-based startup programs such as Schulich Startups, IP Osgoode and the Lassonde School's BEST program."

The Network has been jointly created by YSpace and the Schulich School of Business, co-led by 91亚色's Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation David Kwok and Schulich's Executive Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Chris Carder, with strategic oversight and institutional support from the Office of the Vice President Research & Innovation. The announcement comes at a time when government and industry are calling on Canadian post-secondary institutions to do more to support innovation and drive economic growth, as featured in

The Lassonde School of Engineering is joining The YSpace Network, marking an exciting beginning for this university-wide collaboration. "Our school has a strong legacy of entrepreneurship thanks to the generosity of Doug Bergeron, whose support established the Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) program and created the foundation for the success we're building on today. His investment and trust have enabled us to enter this exciting new phase, bringing new connections, resources and opportunities for students, alumni and faculty to commercialize their technologies, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to Canada's innovation economy," says Jane Goodyer, Dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering.

"YSpace was created to ignite innovation and empower the next generation of changemakers,鈥� said Amir Asif, 91亚色鈥檚 Vice President, Research and Innovation. 鈥淚n partnership with the Schulich School of Business, The YSpace Network is charting a bold path forward for 91亚色. This initiative expands our reach and deepens our impact by bridging research, entrepreneurship, and community to drive solutions to global challenges. Together, YSpace and Schulich鈥檚 Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship are shaping a powerful ecosystem where ideas become ventures, and ventures create lasting change. The YSpace Network embodies 91亚色鈥檚 vision for a more innovative, inclusive, and prosperous future.鈥�

The YSpace Network is a milestone that builds on 91亚色's growing momentum as an entrepreneurship and innovation launch pad with a growing footprint in the GTA and beyond. The most recent PitchBook University Rankings had 91亚色's inaugural ranking breaking through in the top 100 globally, followed by news that 91亚色 is ranked fourth in the Panache Ventures national Startup Formation Report.

How Faculties Can Engage with The YSpace Network

The YSpace Network is designed as an opt-in model that allows Faculties to participate at varying levels of engagement:

• Affiliate Membership: open access to YSpace programming streams
• Step-Up Implementations: pop-up programming, competitions and support
• Full Hub Implementations: dedicated on-site hubs with embedded resources

Connect with us directly to explore how your Faculty can join The YSpace Network:

David Kwok, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, YSpace 鈥� davekwok@yorku.ca

Chris Carder, Executive Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Schulich School of Business and Jay Smith & Laura Rapp Chair in Innovation & Entrepreneurship 鈥� ccarder@schulich.yorku.ca

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Once again 91亚色 proves it is one of the best comprehensive universities in Canada, placing in the top five in today's .

91亚色 has consistently ranked in the top five for several consecutive years. In addition to snagging the fifth spot, 91亚色 also came in fourth for reputation, third for student scholarships and bursaries, and fourth for social sciences and humanities grants.

鈥�91亚色鈥檚 continued recognition as one of Canada鈥檚 top five comprehensive universities is a testament to the passion of our entire community. This achievement reflects the strength of our academic programs, the impact of our research, and the commitment of our faculty, staff, and students to advancing positive change,鈥� says President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton.  鈥淭hank you to our entire community for everything each of you do to make 91亚色 a leader in higher education and a place where innovation, inclusion, and purpose thrive.鈥�

91亚色 also placed in the top 10 nationally for comprehensive universities for student and faculty awards, medical and science grants, student services, and faculty to student ratio.

Earlier this year, 91亚色 took a top 40 spot in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, based on UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). It was also listed number one in Canada for Quality Education and second for Gender Equality, Reduced Inequities and Responsible Consumption and Production. It jumped hundreds of spots in the SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being with its new School of Medicine slated to open in 2028.

In addition, 91亚色 excelled in the  with more than 15 subject areas ranked in the top 10 across the country.

With highly ranked student services, awards and programs, award winning faculty, a new School of Medicine on the horizon, and a growing number of real-world research and integrated learning opportunities available, 91亚色 continues to be a global leader in post-secondary education.

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As Canadians prepare to vote in another federal election, the country鈥檚 economy faces a sobering reality. As the (OECD) notes, productivity is stagnating, our innovation performance lags global peers and high-potential startups often fail to scale.

Despite these warning signs, innovation policy remains largely absent from political discourse. Canadians hear a great deal about how political parties are going to spend money, but .

This is a critical oversight. Canada鈥檚 enduring productivity gap is the social programs, such as health care and education, that Canadians value.

If Canadians want to maintain their standard of living, Canada must close that gap through a more deliberate, strategic approach to innovation.

Innovation is economic strategy

In today鈥檚 knowledge-based economy, as business executive , power flows to countries that own digital data and their 鈥渧alue-added applications鈥� (like apps or platforms) and intellectual property.

Countries like , have embedded innovation into national strategy, investing in sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), clean technology and biotech to drive growth and resilience. Canada, by contrast, has taken a fragmented, reactive approach.

Canada鈥檚 over-reliance on research and development (R&D) spending and patent counts has failed to translate into commercial success. According to the OECD, such as productivity growth and technology adoption.

Canada also often conflates research with innovation. While both are vital, innovation is about turning knowledge into use through deployment, adoption, commercialization and scaling. Much of today鈥檚 transformative innovation, particularly in AI and software, (related to things like user insights, execution experience and expertise in a particular domain) not just codified knowledge (for example, patents, technical drawings and licenses).

Why innovation policy fails

Governments struggle with innovation because it defies conventional policymaking:

• It requires failure tolerance. Innovation is iterative. But political systems fear failure.
• It demands long-term vision. Results may take years, beyond typical electoral cycles.
• It鈥檚 technically complex. Few policymakers have deep expertise in emerging technologies or understand the research and development process.
• It鈥檚 often misunderstood. Funding research is not the same as building innovation capacity or developing innovation processes.
• It鈥檚 hard to quantify. Quantifying innovation outcomes is complex and challenging to measure, making it also difficult to measure return.

As economist and innovation policy expert Mariana Mazzucato argued in The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public vs. Private Sector Myths, from failure. Canada鈥檚 current model lacks these ingredients.

Breaking the cycle of failure

To break this cycle, Canada needs a non-partisan national innovation institution 鈥� an agency empowered to advise on strategy, evaluate outcomes and embed technical expertise into policy at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

Models like from the U.S., from Sweden and the show how long-term, high-impact innovation can be achieved with the right institutional scaffolding and appropriate knowledge.

Canadians have created a number of innovation organizations with national implications, such as the , the , and the , which closed in 2019.

Yet none have been national organizations that addressed the broad proposed mandate to explicitly advise governments on technology and policy strategy, evaluate innovation outcomes and embed technical expertise into recommendations.

A non-partisan national innovation institution must:

1. Track outcomes more than inputs. Innovation success can be measured by a number of project- or industry-specific outcomes, such as productivity, firm growth and export revenue. The ICP proposed measuring the comparing innovation performance to peer jurisdictions.
2. Support long-term strategic objectives, focusing on Canada鈥檚 strengths in critical areas like AI, clean technology, energy health-care technology, and leveraging expertise and experience in these and other areas.
3. Embed technology experts alongside health-care and education experts in the decision-making process. Recruit scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs to anticipate technology and market trends, guiding both implementation and policy development.
4. Differentiate innovation from research. Support both, but recognize the differences and explicitly link innovation to adoption and new use cases.
5. Promote value capture. Ensure Canadian firms and the country benefit from and retain control of key technologies that enable them to scale domestically.
6. Recognize the inherent risks in innovation and the potential for failure. Evaluate and build on impact and learn from failure to enhance innovation processes and improve future outcomes.
7. Align our educational institutions with innovation goals revising programs, creating more flexible learning options so that more research outcomes .

These steps aren鈥檛 hypothetical. They鈥檙e backed by evidence .

Why now?

Canada鈥檚 economy is and vulnerable to technological disruption. Meanwhile, the global AI and clean tech races are accelerating. Canada is at risk of falling further behind 鈥� not just economically, but geopolitically.

But Canada also has strengths: world-class researchers, diverse entrepreneurial talent and global partnerships. What鈥檚 missing is a cohesive national strategy to harness this potential. Creating a non-partisan innovation institution would be a powerful first step.

If Canadians want to provide revenue for governments decide how to fund education, health care and climate adaptation, they must grow their economy. And to do that, Canada needs smarter innovation policy.

It鈥檚 time to stop celebrating activity and start rewarding outcomes. Let鈥檚 build the structures that allow Canadian ingenuity to thrive 鈥� not in theory, but in practice.

By Bergeron Chair in Technology Entrepreneurship Andrew Maxwell, Lassonde School of Engineering, 91亚色

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TORONTO, March 20, 2025 鈥� 91亚色 and ventureLAB signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their collaboration in talent development, research, and industry-driven innovation. This agreement reinforces their commitment to bridging academia and industry, creating opportunities for students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to drive growth in Canada鈥檚 technology sector.

As a leading innovation hub, ventureLAB鈥檚 mission is to power hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada鈥檚 knowledge-based economy, making this partnership a natural extension of its work in fostering a globally competitive technology ecosystem.

鈥�91亚色 has long been a valued partner with ventureLAB, and this enhanced collaboration advances our shared goal of not only fostering tech talent in the region but giving that talent the platform to turn their learning and research into commercial success,鈥� said Sophia Chan-Combrink, VP, external relations.

The MOU establishes a strong talent pipeline, connecting 91亚色鈥檚 distinguished professors and researchers with ventureLAB鈥檚 influential network of founders. It also provides 91亚色 students with hands-on internship opportunities, equipping them with real-world experience in the hardtech, semiconductor, AI and medtech industries.

With the launch of 91亚色鈥檚 new Markham Campus, this partnership is expanding to create even greater opportunities for students, faculty, and industry professionals. Located near the new campus, ventureLAB will serve as a key hub for experiential learning, giving students direct access to its state-of-the-art Innovation Centre and resources. This collaboration will drive new joint programming initiatives and strengthen the synergy between 91亚色鈥檚 STEM, management, and business programs and ventureLAB鈥檚 dynamic innovation ecosystem. By fostering cutting-edge research, commercialization, and talent acceleration, 91亚色 and ventureLAB are shaping the future of Canada鈥檚 technology sector.

鈥淔or decades, 91亚色 researchers have been at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries that drive meaningful change and improve lives. As the world鈥檚 largest markets compete for top talent in fields such as medical technology, digital innovation, and semiconductors, 91亚色 is committed to ensuring our research translates into tangible, real-world impact,鈥� said Amir Asif, vice president, research and innovation at 91亚色.

鈥淭o achieve sustainable, lasting outcomes, 91亚色 continues to cultivate strategic partnerships that amplify the reach and influence of its research. Through collaboration with ventureLAB, 91亚色 is advancing the MedTech, digital technologies and semiconductor innovation ecosystems by harnessing the expertise of 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering researchers. This collaboration will accelerate the creation of intellectual property and highly skilled talent, fuelling growth in critical industrial sectors.鈥�

91亚色 continues to be a valuable partner in ventureLAB鈥檚 flagship programs, including the Hardware Catalyst Initiative and Accelerate AI. As part of this renewed agreement, 91亚色 professors will now have direct access to ventureLAB鈥檚 leading-edge hardware lab, enabling groundbreaking research and industry collaborations that will drive advancements in Canada鈥檚 semiconductor, AI, and deep-tech industries. This renewed partnership underscores the transformative potential of collaboration between academia and industry, creating a stronger pipeline of talent and innovation that will shape the future of Canada鈥檚 tech sector. As 91亚色 and ventureLAB continue to strengthen their alliance, they remain dedicated to fostering technological advancements, supporting high-impact research, and equipping the next generation of leaders with the tools to thrive.

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About ventureLAB

is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario鈥檚 innovation corridor in 91亚色 Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 7,200 jobs and raise more than $420 million in investment capital. ventureLAB is powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada鈥檚 knowledge-based economy.

About 91亚色

91亚色 is a leading international teaching and research university, and a driving force for positive change. Empowered by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective, we are preparing our students for their long-term careers and personal success. 

Home to one of the largest and most diverse student bodies in Canada, our 53,450+ students from 178 countries, 375,000+ alumni and leading professors are working with 350+ university, industry and NGO partners to tackle pressing issues such as AI鈥檚 impact on society, disaster and emergency management and more. Recognized as a global leader for five consecutive years in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and number one in global joint research publications in Ontario, 91亚色 is positioned to take on the challenges that matter most. 

Across our multiple campuses in the Toronto area, including Keele, bilingual Glendon and Markham, and globally in Hyderabad, India, and Costa Rica, we continue to innovate. This brings success to our students in our top-ranked Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School, and our new School of Medicine (opening 2028) as well as in the liberal arts, creative and performing arts, professional studies, health, engineering, education and sciences. 

We value collaboration, diversity and inclusivity. Together, we can make things right for ourselves, our communities, our planet and our future. 

To learn more, visit yorku.ca.

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Osgoode Hall Law School launches professional skills micro-courses to prepare JD students for their future careers

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2024 鈥� In a first for legal education in Canada, Osgoode Hall Law School of 91亚色 has launched a unique collection of one- and two-credit courses for students in the Juris Doctor (JD) program who want to gain more in-depth knowledge and skills in specific areas of legal practice.

Designed to complement the foundational knowledge provided by the core JD curriculum, professional skills micro-courses give students a head start on mastering the practical aspects and inevitable challenges 鈥� from managing finances to building relationships with clients 鈥� that are part of any legal career.

鈥淎s our JD students combine rigorous legal training with hands-on experience to prepare for their careers, it鈥檚 important that they also learn to navigate the day-to-day realities of practising law,鈥� says Osgoode Dean Trevor Farrow. 鈥淚n creating this innovative collection of micro-courses focused on specific professional skills, we鈥檙e reinforcing Osgoode鈥檚 long-time leadership in cutting-edge legal education.鈥�

Exploring a diverse range of career-focused topics

Osgoode has announced its inaugural offering of professional skills micro-courses for the JD program鈥檚 2024-25 academic year:

• AI and Technology in Legal Practice: An in-depth look at how artificial intelligence and other technological innovations are transforming the practice of law. Students will gain hands-on experience with applications from digital management tools to software enabling AI-assisted research, analysis, and decision-making support.
• Legal Practice Dynamics: Teaches the skills and strategies required to become a successful legal practitioner in any environment, whether at a firm, as part of a corporate team, or in the public sector.
• Mental Health, Wellness and the Legal Profession: Provides the analytical insights and practical tools needed to navigate mental health challenges in legal practice 鈥� and to intervene, when appropriate, in a spirit of empathy and trust.
• Financial Literacy for Lawyers: Designed to help future lawyers gain a basic understanding of financial reporting and accounts, along with the ways such information can be leveraged in legal practice.

More micro-courses coming soon

Additional subjects in development include: juridical French, Indigenous languages, and client relations and communications. The common thread is providing knowledge and skills that JD graduates can apply immediately as they embark on their careers.

"At Osgoode, we don鈥檛 draw a hard line between law school and the so-called 'real world,'" says Farrow. "Our JD program offers unrivaled opportunities to gain direct legal experience. And now these unique micro-courses enable students to start developing professional skills today that they'll use throughout their careers."

To learn more about professional skills micro-courses, visit .

About Osgoode Hall Law School

Around 900 students are enrolled in Osgoode's three-year Juris Doctor (JD) program, including its joint and combined programs. The school's highly selective graduate LLM and PhD programs are among the most highly regarded in North America, and finest in the country. Osgoode's professional development courses and certificates offer degree and non-degree programming for Canadian and international lawyers, non-law professionals, firms and organizations.

Founded in 1889, Osgoode is one of Canada's largest and most respected law schools and a centre of influential legal research and thinking. The school's students, teachers and scholars share a common goal: to advance positive change in a world where rights are often contested, and justice can be complex. Throughout Osgoode's long history, the practice of law has always been seen as more than a means to an end. It's a journey that takes one from identifying the issues that matter to creating meaningful impact.

About 91亚色

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact:

Nichole Jankowski, 91亚色 Media Relations and External Communications, 91亚色, 647-995-5013, jankown@yorku.ca

Anita Herrmann, Director, External Relations, Osgoode Hall Law School of 91亚色, 416-736-5364, aherrmann@osgoode.yorku.ca

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TORONTO, May 13, 2024 鈥� Today, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), with support from the Ontario Government, announced $1.5 million in funding to 91亚色 and in partnership with Centennial College to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in developing and testing innovative automotive technologies and smart mobility solutions.

Overall, OVIN is supporting an investment of $4.77 million including the Province鈥檚 $1.5 million contribution.

鈥淗aving secured over $43 billion in new electric vehicle and EV battery manufacturing investments over the last four years, our government continues to recognize the economic potential of advanced automotive technologies,鈥� said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. 鈥淲e congratulate 91亚色 and Centennial College on the launch of their SmartTO RTDS, and look forward to seeing their partnership with OVIN inspire innovation across the auto and mobility sectors.鈥�

This investment launches 91亚色鈥檚 Smart Mobility Applied Research and Testing 鈥� Toronto (SmartTO) as the newest OVIN Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS), located in the Greater Toronto Area. As part of the RTDS network, SmartTO will directly support entrepreneurs, SMEs and startups in the automotive technology and mobility sector, through access to industry-leading resources such as specialized equipment, supports for testing and piloting, business and technical advisory services, and opportunities for collaboration with regional partners.

SmartTO will enable SMEs in the province to move the dial on sustainability and work towards reducing the province鈥檚 carbon footprint by speeding up the development, testing, and commercialization of new technologies and driving developments in the field. SMEs will work with established industry partners to help advance their technological innovations and smart material development for the next generation of smarter, lighter, and more efficient electric vehicles and infrastructure. This work will ensure that the Province continues to lead in the research and innovation space for electric, connected, and autonomous vehicle technologies.

鈥淎s an internationally recognized leader in sustainability, the Sustainable Development Goals are embedded in our teaching, research, and innovation activities and are the blueprint for all our partnerships,鈥� says Rhonda Lenton, 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor. 鈥淲ith a net-zero commitment and a longstanding reputation as a living lab where cutting-edge solutions are tested and refined, we are dedicated to expanding our positive impact through collaborative projects such as this one. This funding from the Ontario government will enable 91亚色, along with our partners, to expand support for SMEs across the province as part of the RTDS network towards realizing a more sustainable future.鈥�

SmartTO will operate in partnership with Centennial College鈥檚 School of Transportation, Canada鈥檚 largest transportation training facility, leveraging the power of research expertise, engineering, and unrivalled access to state-of-the-art equipment, cutting-edge labs, vehicles, facilities, and expert technicians. SmartTO will also utilize resources from 91亚色鈥檚 Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, Lassonde School of Engineering, and YSpace, a pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub, to support startups and SMEs in the GTA on their journey from technology development to commercialization. 

鈥淐entennial College is looking forward to working with 91亚色 and the Ontario government through OVIN to build Ontario's strength in connected, autonomous, SMART and electrified vehicles 鈥� presenting a unique opportunity not only to train our future workforce in these emerging technologies but also to lead in their innovation,鈥� says Dr. Craig Stephenson, president and CEO of Centennial College.

鈥淥ntario has emerged as a global leader in the automotive and mobility sector as it transforms towards electric, connected, and autonomous vehicles,鈥� said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. 鈥淭hrough the OVIN Regional Technology Development Sites, we are harnessing the strengths of our entire province, from the critical mineral wealth of Northern Ontario and to the manufacturing strength of Southern Ontario, and everywhere in between 鈥� cementing Ontario's role as the global hub for the vehicles of the future.鈥�

Through the Province鈥檚 commitment to supporting the automotive and mobility sector, Ontario continues to reinforce its position as the global hub for automotive manufacturing, supply and technological innovation, evidenced by billions of dollars in transformational investments, particularly for EV and battery production. The creation of this new RTDS builds on this success and forms part of the Province鈥檚 10-year plan, Driving Prosperity, which is driving economic development and a cleaner, safer and more efficient transportation future.

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About 91亚色

91亚色鈥痠s a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future. 

About Centennial College

, founded in 1966, is Ontario鈥檚 first public college. Anchored primarily in the eastern part of the Greater Toronto Area, the college boasts five campuses and two satellite locations. Renowned for its outstanding teaching, creative curriculum, and robust network of partnerships, Centennial annually welcomes over 40,000 full-time and part-time students from over 130 countries. These students pursue their education in over 400 diploma, certificate, and degree programs across various fields, including business, media, arts, community and consumer services, engineering technology, health care, and transportation.

About the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)

The (OVIN) is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario鈥檚 position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies.

Through resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies.

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TORONTO, June 16, 2022 鈥� The Hon. Fran莽ois-Philippe Champagne, federal minister of innovation, science and industry, today announced more than $175 million in  (SSHRC) funding to support important research across Canada. 

In all, more than 40 research projects at 91亚色 will receive a boost of $16 million in total SSHRC federal funding, including almost $10 million in  for long-term research projects in anti-homelessness, global health, LGBTQ+ poverty and Indigenous rights and reconciliation.

All four 91亚色 researchers invited to submit a full application for Partnership Grants were successful, marking the first time the University has boasted a 100 per cent success rate.

鈥�91亚色 has long been recognized as a leader in the humanities and social sciences, so we are gratified that SSHRC is recognizing and supporting the 91亚色 researchers who have received funding through the Insight Grants and Partnership Development Grants, and for our graduate students who have also received support,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, 91亚色. 鈥淲e are particularly delighted for all four of our researchers who received Partnership Grants, which will sustain urgent efforts to combat poverty and homelessness and to strengthen our global public health regime and the self-determination of Indigenous communities.鈥� 

Here are the four Partnership Grant recipients, each of whom has received close to $2.5 million in support of six- and seven-year projects. 

• Stephen Gaetz, a professor in the Faculty of Education, has received a second consecutive Partnership Grant to continue his work as president and CEO of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH), an anti-homelessness research institute that was previously funded by the SSHRC in 2012.

• Steven Hoffman, professor of Global Health, Law, and Political Science at the Faculty of Health and  and the Dahdaleh Distinguished Chair in Global Governance & Legal Epidemiology, and director of the , will pursue research into a global framework for sustainable antimicrobial drug use and preventing the proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria.  

• Nick Mul茅, professor of gender and sexuality at the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, will undertake a project called 2SLGBTQ+ Poverty in Canada: Improving Livelihood and Social Wellbeing. The initiative will address disproportionate vulnerability to poverty among Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer plus (2SLGBTQ+) people.
  
• Dayna Scott of Osgoode Hall Law School and the Faculty of Environment & Urban Change, along with project co-director Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark of the University of Victoria, received funding for "Infrastructure Beyond Extractivism: Material Approaches to Restoring Indigenous Jurisdiction,鈥� which will explore novel approaches restoring Indigenous jurisdiction over lands and waterways.

Today's announcement also includes $5.2 million in  for 30 researcher projects across multiple Faculties, including the Faculty of Health, the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, the , the Faculty of Education, , the  and .

In addition, six 91亚色 researchers received just over $1 million in funding under the  to foster new research and related activities with new or existing partners, as well as to design and test new partnership approaches.

Amir Asif, 91亚色鈥檚 Vice-President Research & Innovation, said: 鈥淚 want to congratulate today's award recipients and wish them success in their research endeavours. SSHRC鈥檚 investment in the social sciences and humanities at 91亚色 affirms and validates our commitments to scholarship and knowledge-seeking and to building a more sustainable and equitable future.鈥�

鈥淭his has been a remarkable year for 91亚色. To date, 91亚色 has achieved record levels of research funding across all three tri-councils, and has accomplished the highest ever funding in 91亚色鈥檚 history with a 100 per cent success rate in the Partnership Grants, Partnership Development Grants and SSHRC Connection Grants, as well as our most successful year in SSHRC Insight Grants. I attribute this success to the passion and dedication of our research community and staff who are so committed to helping 91亚色 conduct purposeful research for positive change.鈥�

A complete list of the SSHRC funding grants can be found . 

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91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: 
Matt LaForge, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-242-1547, mlaforge@yorku.ca

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91亚色 announces new head of Research & Innovation

TORONTO, November 26, 2019 鈥�91亚色 has selected a new Vice President of Research & Innovation.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors has accepted the recommendation of the search committee that Professor Amir Asif be appointed for a five-year term beginning on May 1, 2020. 91亚色 President and Vice-chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton announced the appointment today.

Asif has served as the Dean of the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science (GCS) at Concordia University since 2014. He is well known to members of the 91亚色 community, having served as the founding Chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) from 2006 to 2014. As Chair, he transformed EECS into a comprehensive department offering programs in computer engineering, software engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, digital media and computer security, which was selected as one of the two founding departments for the new Lassonde School of Engineering at 91亚色. Currently, he is also serving as the Chair of the Research Committee of the Engineering Deans Canada, the national council of Deans of Engineering and Applied Science in Canada.

Asif has more than 15 years of experience serving in senior university leadership positions. Most recently, he led the development of the 2016-21 GCS Strategic Plan and the creation of faculty research support and capital infrastructure funds focused on attracting the best researchers and achieving excellence in research. Asif was instrumental in establishing successful research collaborations between the public and private sectors, examples of which are NSERC Canada Excellence Research Chair in Smart and Resilient Cities and Communities ($10M), Green-Surface Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing approved as a NSERC Strategic Partnership Grant ($5.5M), multiple NSERC Collaborative Research and Development Grants ($10M), four Industrial Research Chairs (over $6M) and various NSERC Create and Mitacs Accelerate Grants聽 ($5M). During his five-year term as Dean, the School of Engineering and Computer Science grew by 35 percent in terms of student enrolment and 40 per cent in terms of faculty complement. The research funding within the School grew by over 50 per cent during his deanship.

Asif led the development of Concordia鈥檚 Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and 10 new interdisciplinary research centres at Concordia, including collaborations with the other Faculties and disciplines. He is also passionate about refining public policy on higher education and improving the student experience. As Vice-Chair of the University Senate and Chair of the Senate Committee on Academic Standards, Curriculum and Pedagogy at 91亚色, he oversaw the development of University-wide policy on academic standards, regulations, curriculum and programs, including research-informed pedagogy.

Innovation and interdisciplinarity are also at the heart of his research. As a specialist in signal processing, Asif focuses on developing next-generation technologies for a variety of everyday applications including health and medical devices, radar and sonar applications, distributed multi-agent networked systems and electrical power grids. He leads by example in the pursuit of research excellence, maintaining active research and teaching profiles.

Asif is the recipient of several prestigious teaching awards and has published extensively in scientific journals and international conferences. He has been awarded grants for core engineering research and applied industrial projects undertaken in Canada and internationally, including from the Ontario Research Foundation/Research Excellence program for his work as principal investigator of the Centre for Innovation in Information Visualization and Data Driven Design (CIV/DDD), a multi-million dollar, multi-institutional research project. He continues to work with industry on applied research projects, the latest such collaboration leading to a joint patent filing with IBM.

In making the announcement, Lenton thanked Professor Rui Wang for his excellent work and leadership as Interim Vice President of Research & Innovation.

91亚色 champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni.

91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact: Janice Walls, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-455-4710,聽wallsj@yorku.ca

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TORONTO, September 18, 2017 鈥� IP Osgoode, the IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic, and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP are pleased to announce their participation in the 鈥檚 Ask the Expert Program Sept. 25 to 26 at The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen Street West (at Bay Street). Members of the IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic will provide pro bono one-to-one intellectual property (IP) support to the creators of emerging accessibility and assistive device technologies.

An official event of the , the 2017 Accessibility Innovation Showcase is organized by the Government of Ontario鈥檚 Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, and Ministry of Economic Development and Growth, and will highlight promising accessibility technologies and assistive devices to investors, local and international dignitaries, government representatives, and the general public.

and Norton Rose Fulbright LLP staff, including Founding Director Professor Giuseppina D鈥橝gostino, IP Osgoode Assistant Director Michelle Li, and Innovation Clinic supervising lawyer, Maya Medeiros, Partner, Lawyer, Patent Agent, Trade-mark Agent at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, along with members of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada鈥檚 IP Group, will supervise the Clinic鈥檚 student Fellows as they provide IP information to the Showcase鈥檚 exhibitors who are working to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Founded in 2010 by D鈥橝gostino, the IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic was the first Canadian IP law clinic of its kind and provides experiential learning experiences for Osgoode Hall Law School students in the areas of IP and technology law. In collaboration with and the at the 鈥� an independent, non-partisan international governance think tank based in Waterloo, Ontario 鈥� IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic Fellows provide pro bono one-to-one IP law information and support to inventors, entrepreneurs, and start-up companies in Toronto, 91亚色 Region, Waterloo Region, and beyond.

鈥淭he IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic is designed to help under-resourced and up-and-coming inventors and entrepreneurs navigate the world of IP law, identify freedom to operate concerns, and develop commercialization strategies as they bring their inventions to the public,鈥� says D鈥橝gostino. 鈥淭he Clinic staff and our Fellows are excited to participate in the Accessibility Innovation Showcase and support these impressive companies that are helping to improve the quality of life for many.鈥�

Now in its third year, the Accessibility Innovation Showcase provides an opportunity for Ontario-based companies and entrepreneurs to demonstrate innovations and advances in accessibility technologies, and increase awareness for this emerging sector. This high-profile event brings together top innovators, investors, government representatives and the general public. For 2017, the showcase will take place alongside the Invictus Games being held in Toronto and has been granted official Games event status, further increasing its visibility. The showcase will include 48 interactive exhibits highlighting innovative assistive technologies and devices. In addition, there will be an accessibility-themed speaker series, along with entertainers and performers.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very pleased to have representatives from the IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic, based at Osgoode Hall Law School, participate in our Ask the Expert sessions as part of the Accessibility Innovation Showcase,鈥� says Morris (Mickey) Milner, Chair, Accessibility Innovation Showcase Advisory Committee. 鈥淥ur exhibitors will clearly benefit from this opportunity to access legal expertise around some of the complex issues their companies face, whether they鈥檙e starting up or scaling up.鈥�

The training and support provided by Norton Rose Fulbright LLP helps train Ontario鈥檚 next generation of IP practitioners and entrepreneurs. 鈥淲e are excited to participate in the Accessibility Innovation Showcase and provide strategic IP information to Ontario-based innovators developing technology to improve people鈥檚 lives,鈥� says Medeiros. 鈥淚n the Information Age, navigating IP issues is increasingly important and complex. We enjoy working with the IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic to help the students develop key expertise in the areas of IP and technology law. These students are the lawyers of the future and already they are giving back to their local technology community.鈥�

The IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic is funded by support from the Centre for International Governance Innovation, Osgoode Hall Law School, and .

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About the IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic

Founded and directed by Professor Giuseppina D鈥橝gostino in 2010, the is a needs-based, innovation-to-market legal clinic operated in collaboration with Innovation 91亚色 and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP. The Innovation Clinic is staffed by student volunteers from Osgoode Hall Law School who are supervised by lawyers from Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP. Under the guidance and mentorship of the supervising lawyers, Innovation Clinic Fellows provide one-to-one legal information services to inventors, entrepreneurs, and start-up companies to assist with the innovation and commercialization processes. Through this hands-on practical experience, Innovation Clinic Fellows learn about common early-stage IP and business law issues facing actors in the innovation ecosystem. To date, the IP Osgoode Innovation Clinic has trained over 80 Osgoode law students and served over 100 companies in the areas of IP and technology law.

About 91亚色

is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. 91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contacts: Virginia Corner, Communications Manager, Osgoode Hall Law School of 91亚色, 416-736-5820, vcorner@osgoode.yorku.ca

Sandra McLean, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097, sandramc@yorku.ca

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TORONTO, March 22, 2016 鈥� 91亚色 President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri welcomes the Government of Canada鈥檚 commitments in today鈥檚 budget to create a special fund to invest in research infrastructure projects at universities, to increase funding for granting councils and to make post-secondary education more affordable for students.

In presenting his first Federal budget, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced the government will invest up to $2 billion over three years for new university infrastructure projects. This new funding will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses.

Further, the University applauds the Federal government鈥檚 enhanced investment in the Federal granting councils and a research support fund. This investment of an additional $95 million per year recognizes the fundamental role of investigator-led discovery research in an innovative society.

Lastly, the University is also pleased that the Federal government has committed to increase the Canada Student Grant amount by 50%. This enhanced grant will provide greater support for our low and middle-income students. Further, the introduction of a flat-rate student contribution to determine eligibility for Canada Student Loans and Grants will make it easier for students to work and gain valuable labour market experience without having to worry about a reduction in their level of financial assistance.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 budget is a strong signal that the Canadian government recognizes the importance of investing in university research and infrastructure, enhancing accessibility and supporting students as key to building up the Canadian economy,鈥� said Shoukri. 鈥淲e are pleased that the Federal government has recognized that the prosperity and the future of Canada require that we are able to attract and retain talented people, boost innovation and build a sustainable economy. Investments in our students, our research and our infrastructure are critical to future generations and to a more innovative Canada.鈥�

91亚色 has always been known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our 52,000 students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 24 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide.

Media Contact:
Janice Walls, Media Relations, 91亚色, x22101 / wallsj@yorku.ca

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